Wedge-shaped tool for splitting rocks and the like



Oct. 12, 1954 2,691,512

ROCKS AND THE LIKE Filed July 22. 1950 A. ARIZIO ill m Il l | I l I l L INVEN Antoni o Arizxo l i I I I I l I I I I I l ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 12, 1954 UNITED STA'lif'tfi AENT QFFICE WEDGE-SHAPED TOOL FOR SPLITTING ROCKS ANDTHE LIKE 1 Claim. 1

fhis invention relates to a tool more particularly suitable for splitting rocks, having the characteristic feature that it is composed of a pair of complementary semi-cylindrical feathers each having a longitudinal channel semi-circular in cross section and defining an inner conical bore when they are brought into juxtaposition with the channels in aligned and opposed relation, and which tool includes a wedge of tapered elliptical cross-section adapted to penetrate within the bore of the feather assembly and to expand it as it is advanced therein for instance by hammering on the free Wedge end.

According to a further feature of this invention the wedge comprises a cylindrical portion, while its portion acting as wedge proper is of elliptical section.

In order to split rocks or the like the bush is introduced with the feather halves drawn towards each other into a hole of a corresponding diameter bored in the rock and the wedge is then forced by hammering into the feather assembly.

The tool is of high efiifciency and requires but a small effort from the operator, is of reduced weight and inexpensive in construction. Moreover, safety operation when using explosives is insured.

The tool according to this invention may be employed for a large variety of uses in mines and quarries, for building purposes, Working building stones, making foundations, building roads, excavating, boring ditches for laying conduits, draining, improving of soil and breaking down buildings.

The accompanying drawing shows diagrammatically by way of example a tool according to this invention.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section.

Figures 2, 3, 4, and 6 are cross sections on lines 2-2, 3-3, 4- 1, 5--5 and 6-8 of Figure 1, and

Figure "I is a side view of the tool rotated through 90 with respect to the position shown 2 in Fig. 1, one of the two halves of the metal feather assembly being removed.

I and 2 denote two semi-cylindrical members composing the metal feather assembly; each of said members is formed with a front flange la, 2a, respectively, and with a groove of semi-conical profile.

3 denotes the wedge member adapted to be introduced into the conical chamber confined by the two opposite grooves when the feather assembly formed by the two semi-cylindrical members coupled together has been introduced into the hole bored in the rock to be split.

As shown in Figures 2 to 6, the member 3 comprises a portion of circular section forming the stem hammered upon by hand or by a mechanical means of known type and a wedge-shaped portion of varying elliptical section, adapted to penetrate into the conical chamber for expanding the two semi-cylindrical members.

What I claim is:

In a rock splitting tool, the combination with a wedge-shaped member of tapered elliptical cross section of a pair of semi-cylindrical feathers each having a longitudinal channel semi-circular in cross section formed in the flattened face thereof and widening towards one end of the feather, the taper of said longitudinal channel equalling the taper of the wedge-shaped member, so as to insure a line of contact over the lengthwise extent of the wedge and feathers.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 410,165 Jacobs Sept. 3, 1889 1,266,282 Larney May 14, 1913 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 15,925 Great Britain July 4, 1910 29,327 Great Britain Dec. 19, 1913 383,386 France Jan. '7, 1908 

